18 Traditional British Desserts to Celebrate King Charles' Coronation

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Coffee and Walnut Cake

For those who have ventured across the pond, the first sight—and taste—of British coffee and walnut cake might have come as a shock. The layer cake, covered with coffee flavored buttercream is topped with crunchy walnuts and icing. It’s a feast for the mouth, and is a classic British baked treat—up there with the Lemon Drizzle and Victoria Sponge.

Ingredients for 6 servings:

For the cake: 

• 2 sticks (225 g) butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup (225 g) super-fine sugar
• 4 eggs 
• 2 cups (260 g) self-raising flour
• 1/2 tsp espresso powder 
• 2 tbsp strong espresso
  
• 1/3 cup (50 g) finely chopped walnuts
• 2 8-inch cake pans
  

For the buttercream:

• 1 1/4 sticks (145 g) butter
  
• 4 1/2 cups (585 g) powdered sugar
• 4 tbsp strong espresso

For the topping

• 7 walnut halves for the topping

Instructions:

1. For the cakes: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease two 8-inch cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper. Grease with nonstick cooking spray, then dust the entire surface of the pans with flour (including the sides).
2. Using an electric hand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. Add 1 egg and mix.
3. Add 1/4 of the flour and mix until it's completely incorporated. Add another egg and mix. Repeat with the remaining flour and eggs until you use both up.
4. The preparation should be pale and creamy.
5. Mix together the espresso powder with the espresso, and add to the batter. Add the chopped walnuts. Mix well and divide the batter evenly into the two prepared cake pans.
6. Bake for 30 min. until golden brown all over. Insert a toothpick to check for doneness. It should come out clean.
7. Let the cakes cool for 10 min., then unmold and transfer to a wire cooling rack. Discard the parchment paper.
8. For the cream: Add all the ingredients to a food processor and mix until you get a smooth and creamy frosting.
9. Spread half of the frosting onto the top of 1 cake. Place the second cake on top of the frosting. Then spread the top of the second cake with the remaining frosting.
10. Decorate with the walnut halves, as pictured.
11. Enjoy with a cup of tea (or coffee!)